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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2012 Dec 1.
Published in final edited form as: Pharmacol Ther. 2011 Jul 18;132(3):215–241. doi: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2011.06.005

Table 4.

Endocannabinoid influence on alcohol-related behaviors

Manipulation Effect
CB1 receptor CB1 knockout Reduced alcohol conditioned place preference
Reduced alcohol preference and consumption
Absence of alcohol-induced increase in NAc dopamine
Increased sensitivity to intoxication
Increased withdrawal
CB1 antagonists Attenuate acquisition of alcohol consumption
Reduce alcohol preference and consumption
Attenuate alcohol-induced increases in NAc dopamine
CB1 agonists WIN 55,212-2 and CP 55,940 increase the motivation for
and quantity of alcohol consumption
eCB clearance inhibition FAAH knockout Increased alcohol preference and consumption
Rats selectively
bred for high
alcohol
preference		 Decreased FAAH expression and activity in PFC
Pharmacological
Manipulations		 URB597 increases alcohol preference and consumption in
mice, but not rats
AM404 decreases alcohol consumption in rats
Alcohol-induced alterations
in brain eCB function		 Increased 2-AG and AEA formation in culture
Regionally distinct alterations in brain tissue eCB content
Alcohol self-administration increases interstitial levels of 2-
AG but not AEA in the NAc
Decreased CB1 expression and function by chronic alcohol